MAKING THE GRADE: Fifth graders reflect on the future as they graduate to middle school

Jun. 7, 2013

Holding up their fifth-grade diplomas after a short ceremony last week at Parkside Elementary School are, from left, Carter Adelmeyer, Jordan Krauss, Tyler Marotz and Christian Barahana-Granados. / Aileen Andrews/The Reporter

Brianna Vang’s shirt sparkled as she stood in the hallway at Parkside Elementary School.

Aspiring to be an actress on the Disney Channel, the 11-year-old — 11˝, she points out — was about the join the long line of classmates poised to march into the gymnasium as graduates of the fifth-grade.

“All the teachers that taught me here pushed me and encouraged me and that’s how I got to where I am today,” she said.

Parents and grandparents watched as the students walked in a solemn procession past the rows of folding chairs and smart phones busily recording the monumental occasion. “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston played over the loudspeaker.

Their teacher, Teresa Krueger, made sure they all knew it was an accomplishment to be proud of.

“They have worked hard all year and have made some wonderful gains — academically and socially. As they processed into the gym for the ceremony, we encouraged them to walk slow, lift their chins up and keep their shoulders back to show that they are proud of their many successes this past year,” she said.

Moving forward

In those last moments of grade school, thoughts turned to how their lives will change when they enter middle school and then beyond.

“This means I am finally growing up,” said Angel Gau, wearing a white dress that she bought at T.J. Maxx and a pearl necklace. She’s going to own her own horse farm someday and give riding lessons.

Seth Carpenter plans to open a garage in the city where he can work on cars.

“I liked gym class the best and all the kids here,” he said.

Aria Thompson is most proud to have learned her division and multiplication tables. It wasn’t always easy, but through each grade she continued to improve. Now math has become her favorite subject.

While learning the alphabet and how to write their own names, exploring the world through social studies lessons and the wonders of science, the children learned other lessons about life — both good and bad.

“I’ve learned that we have to be kind to each other,” Aria said.

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“In life some people are your friends for a minute and the next minute they act like your enemy. I’ve learned to ignore those kinds of people,” Angel said.

Kavon Leatherman has been waiting for the day he finally gets to be a sixth-grader. He is a future scientist and plans to be the first to discover a mermaid.

“Something I learned at Parkside and will always take with me is that you should never be a bully to anyone,” he said.

Lasting impressions

Parkside Principal Stacey Buchholz wants her students to take with them memories of having a staff that cared for them and friends who shared similar experiences.

“I hope that they have met the academic benchmarks that will help them succeed in classes in middle school. I also hope that they have learned social skills to help them appropriately accept the challenges and successes that they will encounter the rest of their lives,” she said.

Parents cheered as the graduation program acknowledged school athletes, band members, good citizens and the kids who comprised the safety patrol. A former student, Fond du Lac High School senior Anthony Koerwitz, received the Parkside Scholarship.

“I am full of joy right now,” said Nicole Matthews, who watched her daughter Amanie Matthews graduate. She has instilled in her daughter the importance of a good education.

“I show them my old report cards and diplomas. We watch movies about kids that drop out of high school and the life they have. School success is a ‘must’ and I want her to be better than I am,” Nicole Matthews said.

Proud father Bob Betts hopes his daughter, Jade Betts, will always strive to do her best. Jade is in student council and plays volleyball.

“I want her to go to college and achieve her dream of becoming a veterinarian,” he said.

The next step

Transitioning to middle school has changed because the dynamics of society have changed, Krueger said. Because of Fond du Lac's diverse social and economic population, the students are leaving a small school and blending with students from other elementary schools to become part of a larger one. Most of the Parkside students will move on to Sabish Middle School.

This school community will be new to many incoming sixth graders from a variety of cultures and experiences.

“As students move on to their middle school, we hope they take with them what they learned at Parkside: Make good choices, be respectful, responsible, and safe, Krueger said. “We hope they use social skills that we have encouraged to make new friends. We hope they use their classroom experiences to set goals for themselves, create a plan to reach those goals, and continue their successes through middle school.”

If all goes as planned, Jordan Krauss will be a dentist in Fond du Lac. He said his teachers and parents have taught him “never to give up.”

“I just want him to be happy in life,” said his grandfather, Ron Krauss.